Meet Zoey and Jameson, our 2019 Children’s Congress Delegates
Voices raised for T1D research
JDRF 2019 Children’s Congress will take place from July 8-10, 2019, in Washington, D.C.
Every two years, more than 160 children living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) gather in Washington, D.C., to meet face-to-face with some of the top decision-makers in the U.S. government. The children, ages 4 to 17, represent all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The delegates in JDRF’s Children’s Congress enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help Members of Congress understand what life with T1D is like and why research to fund life-changing therapies until a cure can be found is so critical. They speak up on behalf of the millions of people living with T1D and the families and friends who love them.
Children making history
The JDRF Children’s Congress T1D advocacy program was inspired by a boy from Massachusetts named Tommy Solo. One day, at age nine, he asked his mother, “Why can’t kids go to Washington and tell their Representatives about what it is like to have type 1 diabetes and let them know that we want scientists to find a cure?” His mom and other JDRF volunteers agreed and, in 1999, the first-ever JDRF Children’s Congress took place in Washington, D.C.
Since then, nine successful Children’s Congresses have been held, one every other year, and more than 1,000 kids with T1D have served as delegates. JDRF Children’s Congress has been essential to securing continued government funding of T1D research and to raise awareness of the daily burden of Americans living with this serious autoimmune disease.
Delegates form lifelong friendships, meet T1D role models, develop leadership skills, and leave Children’s Congress empowered to use their voices for the change that will improve their lives and the lives of all people affected by T1D.
Meet our 2019 Children’s Congress Delegates:
I’m Zoey. I’m 4 years old and go to preschool. I have Type One Diabetes and Celiac Disease, but I overcome it everyday. I love dancing, signing and playing with my older sister. I enjoy coloring, drawing pictures and playing outside at the park. I like to go on rides (especially the tea cups) and watching movies (my favorite movie is Annie). I am proud of my self because I overcome the challenges of T1D every day…even though some days is is not easy. When I grow up I want to be a singer and sing like Taylor Swift and Katy Perry.
My name is Jameson. I am nine years old. I am in third grade. I was diagnosed when I was two years old. I remember that I was drinking water and going to the bathroom. My Mom took me to the doctor. I rode in an ambulance. I was at the hospital. I think I handle it very well. But sometimes at the exact moment I am having fun, my blood sugar goes low or high. I have to sit out of things and miss having a lot of fun. The most important technology to me is my Dexcom. It helps me to know when I am high and low. It helps me to treat my blood sugar. I don’t have to prick my finger as much anymore. I also really like my pump. It helps give me insulin so that I can eat food without going high. I don’t like to get shots. Sometimes I have to. Next year, I will get a new pump. It will help prevent me from going low! I can’t wait to get my new pump.